Outline of the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting

June 26, 2002

On 25 June from 6:15pm local time (9:15am, 26 June Japan time) Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met with President George W. Bush of the United States of America for about 40 minutes, on the occasion of the G8 Kananaskis Summit held in Canada.

(Attendees)

(Outline of the Meeting)

1. Opening Statements

Prime Minister Koizumi stated that former President of the United States and father of President George W. Bush, had journeyed to Chichijima, the site of experiences that he had gone through that no-one should have to live through again, but that he had been moved to hear of the warm welcome former President Bush had received from the islanders, which demonstrated admirably to the international community of the kind of relationship that former enemies could foster. President Bush expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Koizumi's consideration in this matter.

2. Japanese Economy

Prime Minister Koizumi noted that at the beginning of 2002, it had been said that a crisis would occur in February or April, but it is now June, and in May, the government had announced that the economy bottomed out, and structural reforms are steadily making progress. Prime Minister Koizumi also stated that further progress will be made in the work to privatize governmental sectors, and furthermore, there has been progress in disposing of non-performing loans since 2001, although it may be difficult to see clearly the progress of the reform. The reforms are being advanced in a way suitable for Japan, and he will continue to advance both structural and regulatory reforms. In response, President Bush congratulated the Prime Minister for the progress in the reforms, adding that it was important for Japan to strengthen its economy, given that Japan is an important trading partner for the United States and exerts significant influence around the world.

3. International Situation

(1) Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his respect for the role being played by President Bush in the Middle East peace process and between India and Pakistan, and for the leadership being demonstrated by the President concerning, for example, Afghanistan since the terrorist attacks of September last year.

(2) President Bush stated that Japan and the United States should remind each country of the pledges they had made to Afghanistan in order that this pledged assistance could be implemented.

(3) Prime Minister Koizumi stated that while the role Japan plays in the international arena is different to that played by the United States, given that there are limits to the military contribution that Japan can make, it was the case that Japan was able to take on a role in nation-building activities.

(4) Prime Minister Koizumi stated that it was an important progress that the U.S.-Russian relations had become strengthened since September 11th last year and it was also significant in a sense that cooperative relations had been achieved between former rivals. It was also mentioned that Japan welcomes the wonderful cooperation in reduction of weapons of mass destruction between the United States and Russia. In addition, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that Japan basically supports the proposal by the United States in relation to the destruction of Russian weapons of mass destruction, although there were a few points which still remained unresolved. In response, President Bush appreciated the support of the Prime Minister and stated that he wanted to continue cooperation with Japan in the field. Also he stated and that, from the viewpoint of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the United States was concerned with the proliferation of such weapons from Russia to Iran.

(5) President Bush stated that the upcoming visit to Japan of His Majesty King Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was considered an important visit in the United States, and that considering the position in which Jordan finds itself, the United States would like to offer as much assistance as possible, and he would also like Japan's cooperation toward the Kingdom. In response, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that he would like to attend the meeting with King Abdullah based on his discussion with President Bush.

(6) Prime Minister Koizumi stated that he valued President Bush's Middle East Policy Speech. In response, President Bush stated that in the current situation in the Middle East, there was new dynamism required for reform of the Palestinian Authority and that he had called for the election for a new leader of the Palestinians. The President also said that if the Palestinians pursue this goal, the United States and the international community would support their efforts. President Bush also stated that he had been calling on the Israelis to cease their settlement activities in the occupied territories, while there was a need for reform on the Palestinian side if a state was to be created and that the cooperation from the Arab states would be necessary towards that goal. He stated that coexistence of the State of Israel and a future Palestinian State is necessary.

4. japan-U.S. Relations (Okinawa, the fight against terrorism)

Prime Minister Koizumi said that even though this was his fifth meeting with President Bush, he felt like they had met for more than several ten times, and that the firm bedrock of Japan-U.S. friendly relations should be further strengthened. In addition, Prime Minister Koizumi stated that the Japan-U.S. relations were excellent and that issues involving the U.S. Forces stationed in Japan, including Okinawa are important, and consultations at the foreign minister level should be continued with regard to such issues. Prime Minister Koizumi further stated that the terrorist attacks on September 11th had been a devastating incident, but that the entire world had come together in their wake, all sharing a sense of crisis. He also expressed that although the fight against terrorism would last long, it was important to continue to maintain international solidarity and to this end, he was seeking to make the Japan-U.S. relationship even stronger and firmer in the future.

(Announcement of the Report on Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative)

The results of dialogue undertaken from October 2001 under the Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative between Japan and the United States were compiled into a report for the two leaders, and were publicized after this Summit Meeting.